Related to my post earlier this month, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association released a statement today announcing a voluntary recall of infant cold medications. The American Academy of Pediatrics press release about the recall follows.
Cough and Cold Medicines for Infants and Children Withdrawn
The AAP applauds the decision of pharmaceutical companies
to withdraw cough and cold medicines for infants and children under 2
years of age. Evidence from controlled trials show that these products
are not effective in children under 6 and can have potentially serious
side effects. Dosage guidelines for cold and cold mixtures are
extrapolated from adult data and thus inaccurate for children.
According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the
cough and cold medicines that are being withdrawn are:
Treatment of colds/upper respiratory infection should include
plenty of fluids, rest, use of a bulb syringe to clear nasal passages,
and in some instances saline nose drops.
The AAP will be participating in the October 18-19, 2007 joint
meeting of the FDA Non-prescription Drugs advisory Committee and the
Pediatric Advisory Committee at which time FDA will discuss the safety
and efficacy of over-the-counter cough and cold products marketed for
pediatric use.
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